Kenya arrests more than 350 during anniversary protests over deadly anti-tax rallies
Kenyan police dispersed protesters in Nairobi and detained others in several parts of the country as people marked the second anniversary of deadly anti-government rallies. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen said 355 people were arrested on Thursday, while officers used roadblocks and water-cannon trucks in the capital. The protests were held in memory of demonstrators killed during anti-tax unrest two years ago.
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Murkomen described those detained as criminals and said the security measures were intended to contain the demonstrations. He also apologised for the disruption caused by barricades and other restrictions, saying they had been effective in securing the city and other areas. A correspondent at the scene saw police fire tear gas to disperse people gathering peacefully outside Nairobi police station after six people were detained near parliament, where they had laid flowers.
The anniversary carried particular weight because the 2024 protests ended in a deadly crackdown after demonstrators breached parliament grounds. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 60 people were killed in those protests. Shops and restaurants in Nairobi's central business district remained closed on Thursday, reflecting the scale of the police operation and the sensitivity of the day.
The latest arrests come amid a broader period of public frustration in Kenya, where recent protests have also been linked to political opposition and rising transport costs. Reporting from Nairobi indicated that the government was determined to avoid a repeat of the violence seen two years ago. That response has placed renewed attention on the balance between public order and the right to assemble, especially when demonstrations are tied to deaths in previous police crackdowns.
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The protests were organised to mark the second anniversary of the 2024 demonstrations, which became a defining moment in Kenya's recent political unrest. Families of people killed in the crackdown and opposition figures joined the march to parliament, where some laid flowers in remembrance. One parent said she had come only to mourn her son, who was killed in 2024, but was blocked by police before reaching the site.
What remains unclear is how many of those arrested will face charges and whether further protests will be allowed in the coming days. It is also not yet clear whether the heavy police deployment will ease tensions or deepen criticism of the authorities' response. The situation will be watched closely for any sign of renewed demonstrations, further detentions, or official moves to address the grievances behind the unrest.
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